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of GOLDBLADE |
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Interview By Dod |
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One of the best bands out there at the moment is Goldblade,
their energetic shows and audience participation are legendary. They are
one of the 1st bands I put on my list to see when I go to Rebellion or
wherever I can go and see them play. Lead singer and author, John Robb took time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions. |
 John Robb- I wanted something flash
and sharp! and I didn’t want a band name with a 'the' in front of it!
something different something that made you think of sharp and angular
dudes playing fierce rock n roll...hope it worked!
Punk Globe - Who are your major
influences?
J R - Well punk rock is a key
influence. its the music that really changed my life, I grew up with first
wave punk and 1977 was an amazing year...growing up in small town
Blackpool in England, it gave us a hope that there was another way of life
and that we could make our own music on our own terms....DIY was the
single greatest thing that came from punk- the idea that you could create
your own culture- that’s revolutionary and I think that still holds true.
Even if punk had become very corporate it doesn’t mean that a lot of the
original ideals have been lost, anyone reading this can create their own
stuff- whether it music or a fanzine or a website...do it now!
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Punk Globe- How long have you all
known each other? How did you meet? |
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J R - We met in various
stages...Keef the bass player was in my old band the membranes, Rob the
drummer I knew from around Manchester and Pete the guitar player I’ve
known for 25 years! Johnny was knocking around town...there was a plan and
it had to be executed, the plan was to create the perfect rock n roll
band! |
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Punk Globe- When did you form your
band? What inspired you to make music together? |
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J R - The band was formed in the mid
nineties at the time there was no punk rock getting made by new bands in
the UK and we wanted to go against the grain and create some and try and
prove that punk rock could still be made by a new band in the UK on its
own terms.... |
 J R - Like medieval alchemists we
sweat over strange compounds trying to find the perfect blend to make
perfect rock n roll we then rehearse the fuck out of it and crank it up so
that we can cause a riot when we play live...
Punk Globe - Are you still fans and
of who?
J R – I’m a massive music head and I
like all types of music- I get bored of listening to one style all the
time and all the best music is created by cross pollination...
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Punk Globe - Who has the best side
project(s)? |
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J R – I guess everyone thinks their
side projects are the best and maybe for some people Goldblade is their
side project! I got so much going I never sleep! I write books, loads of
articles, do radio, write songs then when I rest I do weights! Ha ha what
a life! What I love though is Goldblade...serious band |
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Punk Globe - What has been your
biggest challenge as a band? |
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J R – Never losing the edge...it’s
easy to get lazy and coast along but im always looking for the edge and
always looking at ways to crank up the energy level... |
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Punk Globe - Have you been able to
overcome that challenge? If so, how? |
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J R – Of course, I'm full . I don’t
fuck about. |
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Punk Globe - What’s your ultimate
direction for your band? |
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J R – Forward |
 J R – Toured most of the world,,,The
challenge is to always create the vibe in whatever venue you are presented
with whether it is a stadium or a back room of a pub...I deal with them
all as they come up...bring them on one after the other with crap PA's,
shit monitors? fuck it....Goldblade will still deliver, punk rock is tough
and that what makes it special...
Punk Globe - What advice do you have
for people who want to form their own bands? |
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J R - Never give up, it’s not about
'making it' that’s a myth. It’s about getting smart and learning how to
survive, it’s about community and above all it’s about the
music...Everything else is a sideshow... |
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Punk Globe - What’s your coolest
band story? |
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J R – I got loads but none of them
are what you would call 'rock n roll'...I hate those tales of I was so
drunk I fell asleep on the floor' road stories but that’s because I don’t
drink...I’m there for the music and the hanging out and talking to the
people who turn up at the show...i’ve seen and done some crazy stuff
though I got on he front page of the Russian newspaper Pravda which used
to be a serious communist paper but is now the Russian equivalent of the
sun...I was onstage and stripped down to my underpants and the picture
appeared on the front of the paper... |
 J.R. - On one level its great that
everyone can hear your music and I like the anarchistic idea of it...on
the other its fucking it up for all the small labels and bands...People
now think music has got free but you have to pay to make it...Its alright
for the Ferrari rock star like Radiohead to say downloading music is cool
but they are multi millionaires there has to be a way to make this work,.
I don’t give a fuck about being rich but I like to survive!...But that’s
how it works now and we have already adapted to it...And people who like
our music buy merchandise to keep us on the road...
Punk Globe- What's your outlook on
the record industry today?
J R – its changing fast...the coked
up endless cocktail party days are over....But its gone very grass roots
and there are more bands than ever before...You don’t have to grovel to
the radio to get heard now- Which is cool because they are still scared of
punk rock...! People can hear you on your Myspace etc... |
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Punk Globe – I have been to
Rebellion and Durham punk festivals this year, both are brilliant, what
are your thoughts on them? |
 Punk Globe – What makes a good
crowd?
J R - A wild mosh pit and some great
interaction with the band...
Punk Globe - Any last words and Do
you believe in the power of rock n roll? |
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J R - Of course brother of course!
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